House Legislation today

[FishSqueezer]

"Second class citizen" eh? That's quite a step up from the last time someone told me what they think of me and my cushy job. :suspicious:

In other related news, I received an "All Employees" email this morning announcing an Agency-wide VERA through the FY13. The odd part of this is that, in the past, TPTB have kept us very informed that they were seeking VERAs, and what their progress was, etc etc. This one just popped up out of the blue! No word, no warning, nothing.

Read the tea leaves as you would.

 

[Show-me]

Re: House Legisation today

We are second class to them because we are on the taxpayer tit. No real production value or innovation, just service. The public hates us because we have good pay and benefits and they feel that anything government is dysfunctional and not worth making half of what they make in a factory slaving over a machine or assembly line. It is a reality that I have witnessed and it makes me keep a very low profile in my rural community where everyone knows everyone's personal business. They still believe we have the cushy civil service retirement where you get 100% of you wage and pay zero health care. LOL Really, I've met those people.

Just remember that here on the MB and at work you are with your peers and we all think we are under paid and over worked, but to the private sector we are way over paid and way under worked with way too many holiday's, vacation days, sick days and benefits.

Like I said, the bill will pass and we will have FERS 2.0 just like we have CSRS and FERS. Two tier and going to be three tier as the economy and the public budgets and debt become more critical.

 

[Silverbird]

The Greek Public Servants have a different problem than we do. There is a tradition of patronage (I'll hire your cousin if you hire mine) at a level we could never get away with here. The ones who do the work are getting the same dings as the ones who don't. So the Greek public servants are protesting - there are a lot more of them per capita.

 

[Show-me]

Your analysis may be correct, but the public is short sighted. They see us simply as over paid dead weight. And to the friends hiring friends, your saying that no one in the public sector is related? Really? Almost everyone in public office has relatives working in government, as lobbyists or uses their position and influence to help their family . It is the political machine. Example, Chelsea Clinton is a NBC contributor and she never worked her way up the ladder. How was she even considered for such a prestigious job? Jenna Bush? Collin Powell's son? FCC There are many many more, hundred, thousands.

 

[jkenjohnson]

I just realized that the Gubment can't operate after this Friday unless a continuing resolution or spending bill is passed. This may negatively affect the market.

 

[Buffalo_Nickle]

The Greek Public Servants have a different problem than we do. There is a tradition of patronage (I'll hire your cousin if you hire mine) at a level we could never get away with here. The ones who do the work are getting the same dings as the ones who don't. So the Greek public servants are protesting - there are a lot more of them per capita.

I dont know where you work, however here in east carolina its just like that!

 

[James48843]

Another day- another problem.

In the Senate, Dem Harry Reid requested that the House Bill passed yesterday be brought to the floor for a vote- as he intended to do a quick vote where it would be voted down, so that then they could begin negotiations on a compromise bill.

This morning, republican Senator Mitch McConnell officially objected, and refused to allow the House version of the bill to be brought up for a vote.

http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/wireStory/focus-senate-house-oks-payroll-tax-cut-15151246

So the score now is...... the (R) House passes the "Anti-Federal Worker Bill", and now the (R's) in the Senate are refusing to allow that bill to come up for a vote.

So the Senate is at a stalemate- nothing will move today until the (R)'s agree to let something come to the floor.

 

[SteelSaving]

Sounds like a decent compromise to me even tho I think the Social Security payroll cut is like shooting yourself in the foot. The folks that still have job should continue to fund their future...................Social Security. Worst thing you can do when you get in finacial problem is to under fund one of the three legs of your FERS retirement plan.

It creates even more dependency on the government. Entire age groups of people will now be left high and dry.
Young adults... Check
Retirees... Check
Those is middle age are now being squeezed the most. They now have to take care of their children until they turn 26 (I'm sure that age will go up too eventually) and when their parents have nothing left to live on in retirement, will need to care for them too.

Economic growth? It isn't happening any time soon. We will now be forced to fight just to meet needs.
This is about control.

 

[Khotso]

"Second class citizen" eh? That's quite a step up from the last time someone told me what they think of me and my cushy job. :suspicious:

In other related news, I received an "All Employees" email this morning announcing an Agency-wide VERA through the FY13. The odd part of this is that, in the past, TPTB have kept us very informed that they were seeking VERAs, and what their progress was, etc etc. This one just popped up out of the blue! No word, no warning, nothing.

Read the tea leaves as you would.

OK Fish, I'm stumped -- VERA? While you're at it -- TPTB?

 

[FishSqueezer]

Ahh,
VERA = Voluntary Early Retirement Authority (in this case, 20 years of service + 50 years old, OR 25 years of service, any age)
TPTB = The Powers That Be

 

[James48843]

Ahh,
TPTB = The Powers That Be

You know, I am pretty much convinced that there is someone who has a full-time job in the federal government, just making up acronyms. Over the years, I have seen some real good ones.

My recent favorite is -- within the FAA, the way they give annual ratings for employee performance, is through the "Performance Measurement System. "

No kidding- it's PMS.


I just want to know- those acronym thinker-uppers.....

How do I get that job?

 

[FishSqueezer]

Are you sure?? Its a Federal Job. Have you checked out what Congress is planning to do to employees pay?? If we get paid at all??

But, since you brought it up, I can propose a new acronym befitting the times: "TIC". It's either a blood sucking parasite spreading disease and pestilence, or "The Idiots in Congress". Or is that too redundant?

 

[WorkFE]

TIC, Gov't wise is already in use. Toxic Industrial Chemical. But I like the way you're thinking.

 

[Khotso]

Are you sure?? Its a Federal Job. Have you checked out what Congress is planning to do to employees pay?? If we get paid at all??

But, since you brought it up, I can propose a new acronym befitting the times: "TIC". It's either a blood sucking parasite spreading disease and pestilence, or "The Idiots in Congress". Or is that too redundant?

Ha! No, that's just about right -- though I think the blood sucking parasite is a little better fit.:toung:

 

[Viva_La_Migra]

Are you sure?? Its a Federal Job. Have you checked out what Congress is planning to do to employees pay?? If we get paid at all??

But, since you brought it up, I can propose a new acronym befitting the times: "TIC". It's either a blood sucking parasite spreading disease and pestilence, or "The Idiots in Congress". Or is that too redundant?

Actually, we don't need an acronym at all. Just understand the origin of the word politics. It's latin. Poli, meaning many; tics, meaning tiny blood sucking creatures that spread disease and pestilence.

 

[jkenjohnson]

I am still trying to figure out why I must sacrifice my pay and benefits to pay down a debt, that I did not create? I pay my own bills every month without borrowing money. Why should I pay for our inept, incompetent, irresponsible politicians debt?

 

[PessOptimist]

Actually, we don't need an acronym at all. Just understand the origin of the word politics. It's latin. Poli, meaning many; tics, meaning tiny blood sucking creatures that spread disease and pestilence.

+1 VLM

 

[Show-me]

I am still trying to figure out why I must sacrifice my pay and benefits to pay down a debt, that I did not create? I pay my own bills every month without borrowing money. Why should I pay for our inept, incompetent, irresponsible politicians debt?

Welcome to democracy or mob rules.

 

[Viva_La_Migra]

I am still trying to figure out why I must sacrifice my pay and benefits to pay down a debt, that I did not create? I pay my own bills every month without borrowing money. Why should I pay for our inept, incompetent, irresponsible politicians debt?

It's simple really. The Democrats would rather take money from you than a larger group of voters who don't have jobs and rely on the government for their existence. Republicans want to hurt the unions, and federal employee unions have a lot of power with the Democrats. Basically we're bastard stepchildren to both parties. Neither party sees us as a valuable voting block.

 

[jkenjohnson]

I was looking at FedSmith and was reading that the recent bill passed by Congress would eliminate social security payments to FERS employees. Did anyojne else see this?